My strongest advice for 2026 travel is simple: book the fixed dates first, then build the trip around them. School breaks, public holidays, major festivals, and limited family rooms set the price floor. Waiting for a perfect fare during those weeks usually saves less than moving your trip by two or three days. I have found that the best savings rarely come from a clever booking trick. They come from choosing the right week, flying on an awkward day, and checking the school calendar before paying a deposit. The dates below give you a working plan for the UK, the…